Samsung Will Deliver the New BlackBerry’s First Major Test This Week

All eyes are on Samsung this week as it prepares to unveil its next smartphone, likely called the Galaxy S IV, on Thursday.

That means U.S. smartphone shoppers will likely have everything they need to know about the Galaxy S IV to decide whether they should go with the new Samsung device or pick up a new BlackBerry phone next week.

Even though the BlackBerry launch event was held in January, it took months to get a U.S. release date for the device — which is coming on March 22 to AT&T, according to an announcement this morning. The device will cost $199.99, which is likely on par with the new Galaxy device given previous pricing schemes.

There’s always a chance that Samsung won’t reveal a ship date for the new Galaxy device at the unveiling this week, but the uncertainty around the BlackBerry means that there’s still a chance the Galaxy S IV would beat the BlackBerry to consumer hands.

Samsung has also ripped into BlackBerry in recent weeks with a marketing blitz that highlights its phones’ security capabilities and potential in the enterprise — a spot that has traditionally been a strength for the BlackBerry.

Samsung’s most recent smartphone, the Galaxy S III, was considered by many to be a legitimate contender with the iPhone as one of the top consumer-oriented phones. All that, in addition to feverish reports on technology blogs, has led to iPhone-level hype for the new Galaxy device.

After years of dominating the enterprise, a new wave “bring your own device” mentality has opened the door for the iPhone and Android to sweep market share right out from under BlackBerry. If the BlackBerry can’t be a popular phone with consumers, then there’s even more of a chance that Samsung will whip away more BlackBerry owners.